Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has poured cold water on growing speculation he could be lined up to replace Barcelona’s troubled coach Luis Enrique.
“If teams like Barcelona lose games there is always a lot of critics, rumours, speculations,” Koeman told reporters at Southampton’s Staplewood training centre.
“And I know that, because my whole life I am linked to Barcelona,” said the Dutchman who played almost 200 times for the Catalan giants between 1989 and 1995.
“But it is not a time to talk about that,” Koeman added. “It is not respectful to the people of Southampton or Barcelona.
“I am very happy to be here. I started a contract in Southampton, and I like to respect my contract and the people.”
Enrique this week was moved to deny rumours he had received an ultimatum from Barcelona officials, and insisted he has no problems with any player, including Lionel Messi.
